GA-EP45-UD3R - dual channel memory problem

[eabaggot]

The following system has been running fine for two years:

GA-EP45-UD3R rev 1.0 BIOS v 11
2 GB RAM GSKILL PC-6400 4-4-4-12
ANTEC 550W Trio
EVGA 9800 GT Nvidia, with latest drivers
XP SP3
Trend Micro AV/Security

Problem - system makes it through POST, but hangs during windows startup.
System is dual boot, separate disks, both XP SP3.  Neither OS will start up in dual channel.

The system *will* start all the way if in "Safe Mode with Networking".

I removed the NVIDIA card and replace with ATI 4550 - SYSTEM HANGS
Conclusion - video card not problem.

I have 2 GB memory, in two identical sticks.

Either stick by itself in DDR2-1 - STARTUP SUCCESSFUL
 
Conclusion - memory not bad.

One stick in DDR2-1 and other in DDR2-3 - SYSTEM HANGS
One stick in DDR2-2 and other in DDR2-4 - SYSTEM HANGS

Put one stick in DDR2-1, other in DDR2-2 - STARTUP SUCCESSFUL (single channel mode)

Conclusion - there is some problem with running in dual channel in normal mode.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks,
Ed

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

Well it is possible that it is a fault with either the slots or the MCH that controls the memory channels.
 
But before we give up on the motherboard let's just do a couple of things.

Clear the CMOS completely by unplugging the PSU from the mains and then holding down the power button on the case until all residual power is drained from the PSU.

Next remove the battery from the motherboard  and leave for at least ten minutes.

Replace the battery and then the mains connection.

Boot and enter the BIOS load Optimised BIOS Defaults.
 
Save and exit.

[Lsdmeasap]

Is this 2x2GB or 2x1GB?

If 2x2GB you may need to increase MCH Voltage to 1.2-1.24 to use them both in dual channel.

[eabaggot]

Is this 2x2GB or 2x1GB?

If 2x2GB you may need to increase MCH Voltage to 1.2-1.24 to use them both in dual channel.

Thanks for the responses!

It's 2x1GB.

I am going to some of these ideas in a few days, when I have a little down time to spend.  I also got a suggestion from Gigabyte tech support that I need to study on.

It just irks me - why does it come up okay in Safe Mode?  Must be a driver of some sort, or perhaps even my antivirus ... very odd.

Ed

[eabaggot]

Is this 2x2GB or 2x1GB?

If 2x2GB you may need to increase MCH Voltage to 1.2-1.24 to use them both in dual channel.

It's 2x1GB.

It just irks me - why does it come up okay in Safe Mode?  Must be a driver of some sort, or perhaps even my antivirus ... very odd.

Ed

Well, it looks like I am not going to do anything about this.  Something has changed in the last few days - I just retested dual mode without making any changes in the BIOS etc and the system starts just fine.  I've run several tests and each time it comes up normal.

The only thing I know for certain that has changed was the antivirus update.  Does that make any sense to anybody?

For the record, I use Trend Internet Security 2009 (not that thing they call Titanium - I tried that and took it off real quick, after I had a chance to look at it).

Ed

[Dark Mantis]

Hi
No I can't see any reason for it either, but that is the nature of computers for you
Maybe it was just a contact that wasn't quite making a good connection that has seated it self properly now, who knows.